Actors who’ve played presidents | CNN

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Actors who’ve played presidents

Updated 11:40 AM EDT, Thu April 28, 2016
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Will Ferrell is famous for playing former President George W. Bush on "SNL" and now he<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fvariety.com%2F2016%2Ffilm%2Fnews%2Fwill-ferrell-to-play-former-president-ronald-reagan-in-new-movie-exclusive-1201762057%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank"> is reportedly on board to play President Ronald Reagan in a planned motion picture.</a> Check out a few of the other actors who've portrayed commanders in chief:
Will Ferrell is famous for playing former President George W. Bush on "SNL" and now he is reportedly on board to play President Ronald Reagan in a planned motion picture. Check out a few of the other actors who've portrayed commanders in chief:
from NBC
Daniel Day-Lewis won the best actor Academy Award in 2013 for playing the 16th U.S. president in "Lincoln," which also took home the production design Oscar. The Steven Spielberg-directed drama also stars British actor Jared Harris as Ulysses S. Grant.
Daniel Day-Lewis won the best actor Academy Award in 2013 for playing the 16th U.S. president in "Lincoln," which also took home the production design Oscar. The Steven Spielberg-directed drama also stars British actor Jared Harris as Ulysses S. Grant.
Touchstone Pictures
Bill Murray plays Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 2012 film "Hyde Park on Hudson." The dramedy focuses on FDR's relationship with Margaret Suckley, better known as Daisy (Laura Linney). British actress Olivia Williams plays Eleanor Roosevelt in the film, set in 1939.
Bill Murray plays Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 2012 film "Hyde Park on Hudson." The dramedy focuses on FDR's relationship with Margaret Suckley, better known as Daisy (Laura Linney). British actress Olivia Williams plays Eleanor Roosevelt in the film, set in 1939.
Nicola Dove/Focus Features
Several actors stepped up to play various presidents in 2013's "Lee Daniels' The Butler." The late Robin Williams took on the role of Dwight Eisenhower; he previously played Theodore Roosevelt in the "Night at the Museum" franchise.
Several actors stepped up to play various presidents in 2013's "Lee Daniels' The Butler." The late Robin Williams took on the role of Dwight Eisenhower; he previously played Theodore Roosevelt in the "Night at the Museum" franchise.
The Weinstein Company
Liev Schreiber plays Lyndon B. Johnson in "The Butler."
Liev Schreiber plays Lyndon B. Johnson in "The Butler."
The Weinstein Company
John Cusack, right, took on the role of Richard Nixon in "The Butler."
John Cusack, right, took on the role of Richard Nixon in "The Butler."
THE WEINSTEIN COMPANY
James Marsden plays John F. Kennedy in "The Butler" alongside Minka Kelly as Jacqueline Kennedy.
James Marsden plays John F. Kennedy in "The Butler" alongside Minka Kelly as Jacqueline Kennedy.
THE WEINSTEIN COMPANY
Greg Kinnear was nominated for an Emmy for his role as John F. Kennedy in "The Kennedys."
Greg Kinnear was nominated for an Emmy for his role as John F. Kennedy in "The Kennedys."
Zak Cassar/Kennedys Productions (Ontario)
Dennis Quaid plays Bill Clinton opposite Michael Sheen's Tony Blair in the 2010 TV movie "The Special Relationship."
Dennis Quaid plays Bill Clinton opposite Michael Sheen's Tony Blair in the 2010 TV movie "The Special Relationship."
HBO
Josh Brolin plays George W. Bush in Oliver Stone's "W." The drama chronicles the life of the president from his years at Yale University to his time in the White House.
Josh Brolin plays George W. Bush in Oliver Stone's "W." The drama chronicles the life of the president from his years at Yale University to his time in the White House.
Lionsgate
Frank Langella was nominated for an Academy Award for his performance as Richard Nixon in 2008's "Frost/Nixon." The Ron Howard drama revisits Nixon's interviews with British talk show host David Frost, played by Michael Sheen.
Frank Langella was nominated for an Academy Award for his performance as Richard Nixon in 2008's "Frost/Nixon." The Ron Howard drama revisits Nixon's interviews with British talk show host David Frost, played by Michael Sheen.
Universal Pictures
Paul Giamatti played the title character in 2008's "John Adams." The Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning miniseries also features David Morse as George Washington and Stephen Dillane as Thomas Jefferson.
Paul Giamatti played the title character in 2008's "John Adams." The Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning miniseries also features David Morse as George Washington and Stephen Dillane as Thomas Jefferson.
HBO
Tom Selleck ditched his mustache for 2004's "Ike: Countdown to D-Day." In the TV movie about the months leading up to Operation Neptune, Selleck plays Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower before he became the 34th president of the United States.
Tom Selleck ditched his mustache for 2004's "Ike: Countdown to D-Day." In the TV movie about the months leading up to Operation Neptune, Selleck plays Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower before he became the 34th president of the United States.
Sony Entertainment
Dan Hedaya plays Richard Nixon in 1999's "Dick." Two young girls (Kirsten Dunst, left, and Michelle Williams) act as Deep Throat in this parody of the Watergate scandal.
Dan Hedaya plays Richard Nixon in 1999's "Dick." Two young girls (Kirsten Dunst, left, and Michelle Williams) act as Deep Throat in this parody of the Watergate scandal.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Anthony Hopkins plays John Quincy Adams in 1997's "Amistad," directed by Steven Spielberg. Hopkins' portrayal earned him an Academy Award nomination for best actor in a supporting role. The actor also played Richard M. Nixon in 1995's "Nixon."
Anthony Hopkins plays John Quincy Adams in 1997's "Amistad," directed by Steven Spielberg. Hopkins' portrayal earned him an Academy Award nomination for best actor in a supporting role. The actor also played Richard M. Nixon in 1995's "Nixon."
Dreamworks
Gary Sinise plays Harry S. Truman in the 1995 TV movie "Truman." Sinise's work as the president known for utilizing the atomic bomb was well-received.
Gary Sinise plays Harry S. Truman in the 1995 TV movie "Truman." Sinise's work as the president known for utilizing the atomic bomb was well-received.
HBO/Everett Collection

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